Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri sends audacious message to Erik ten Hag

Hannibal Mejbri sent a bold message to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after scoring his first career senior goal on Friday night.

The Tunisian international, on loan at Birmingham City, scored 10 minutes from time in the West Midlands derby with a deceptive free-kick that caught West Brom goalkeeper David Button too high.

Mejbri provided an assist to Krystian Bielik early in the second half as Birmingham City dispatched their play-off by chasing down their local rivals.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Mejbri offered a cheeky response to a question about whether he thought Ten Hag had tuned in to watch.

“I just need to focus and stay focused,” he said. I’m sure she has Sky! But I just need to focus until the end of the season and we’ll see in the summer.”

Hannibal Mejbri put on an utterly impressive display as Birmingham City beat West Brom

Having been presented with the man of the match award by teammate Bielik, Mejbri gave thanks for receiving the trophy before looking down at the camera to offer another sneaky hint to the United manager.

‘Thank you. It’s a nice trophy. Thank you very much,’ she said. It was on Sky.

Mejbri made two Premier League appearances for United last season, including away at Anfield in a 4-0 loss towards the end of the season.

Despite being highly valued by the people at the club, it was decided that a loan would be the best for him this season. In the midst of some difficult spells for Birmingham, Mejbri has impressed, registering one goal and five assists.

John Eustace, the Birmingham manager, on Friday night praised Mejbri for his performances and admitted he had experienced a dip in form, largely due to his inexperience.

“He was fantastic, his energy, his overall performance was in a different class,” he said. ‘A 20-year-old boy, his first loan, you’re going to be out of shape, tired legs, which I think we’ve seen this season.

‘But tonight he was back in his prime. He came on at half time last week, he was instrumental in us turning the game around. It’s all part of having a player on loan for the first time, you deal with the ups and downs, but tonight was unplayable.

“Maybe the World Cup took something away from him, but let’s get something straight, he only played one competitive game last season and we have asked him to play week after week.” He’ll get the dips and the inconsistency, but we’re very lucky he’s in it right now.

The Tunisian international was named man of the match as he scored his first senior goal and registered his fifth assist of the campaign

Mejbri played for United in the infamous 4-0 loss to Liverpool at the end of last season.

Before his loan to Birmingham, Mejbri admitted he needed to work hard to try and force his way into a regular place in United’s first team.

‘I said to myself: ‘Oh yes, I need to work hard!’ Mejbri told Pro-Direct Soccer France.

I didn’t come here for nothing, not to have on my CV: ‘I played for United’. I came to show the world that a young man from Paris, from the neighborhood, can come and prevail.

“And I… am willing to risk everything to succeed at United.”